Interest rates slightly improved last week and so far this week, with the Mortgage Backed Security (MBS) market trading higher – thus improving the cost to get each rate.

30 year fixed rates are now available at 3.5% paying 1 point (3.7% APR), and 3.75% paying 0 points (3.74% APR). 15 year fixed rates are now available at 2.875% paying .75 points (3.025% APR), and 3.125% paying 0 points (3.129% APR).

The market appears to be in an idle state with investors still sifting through last week’s announcement by the European Central Bank (ECB). The focus is and will continue to be on Europe in the markets that effect mortgage interest rates.

On 1/26/2015 – FHA officially lowered their mortgage insurance premiums – thus giving a spark to FHA streamline refinances. If you are in a 30 Year Fixed FHA loan, a 20 Year Fixed FHA Loan or an ARM FHA Mortgage – it will likely be worth it to streamline the existing loan to a lower payment with no appraisal/income documentation required.

The changes taking place are below for Terms over 15 years.

95% LTV or less: FHA MI was 130 bps , now it is 80 bps95.01% and above: FHA MI was 135 bps, now it is 85 bps

For FHA loans over $625,500

95% LTV or less: FHA MI was 150 bps , now it is 100 bps95.01% and above: FHA MI was 155 bps, now it is 105 bps

To get your new FHA MI Premium – take your loan amount and multiply it times the bps figure and divide by 12 to get a new monthly FHA MI premium.